Maiden Voyage (Herbie Hancock Album)

Maiden Voyage (Herbie Hancock album)

Maiden Voyage is the fifth album led by jazz musician Herbie Hancock, and was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder on May 17, 1965 for Blue Note Records. It was issued as BLP 4195 and BST 84195. It is a concept album aimed at creating an oceanic atmosphere. Many of the song titles refer to marine biology or the sea, and the musicians develop the concept through their use of space and almost tidal dynamics. The album was presented with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. According to Bob Blumenthal's 1999 liner notes, "Blue Note logs indicate that an attempt had been made to record "Maiden Voyage", "Little One" and "Dolphin Dance" six days earlier, with Hubbard on cornet and Stu Martin in place of Williams. Those performances were rejected at the time and have been lost in the ensuing years."

A different version of "Little One" was also recorded around the same time by Miles Davis and his quintet (including Hancock, Carter and Williams) for the album E.S.P., also released in 1965.